The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-17

you some day-when you see Inc making
faces at you tonight come up and take
Mrs. Larkin off my hands. swear to re-
turn inside half an hour-I swear it.
"Oh, well, all right" said l, glad to be
rid of Tommy and the subject at any cost.
i'So we left the dining room and joined the
ladies' only 10 mud that Marion had disap-
peared and Mrs. Larkin departed to pre-
pare for the dance. 1t was hardly piece
Of self sacrifice on my part to talk to Mrs.
Larkin, stake her off his hands, as the
chivalrous Tommy expressed it, for 1 had
found her at dinner remarkably agreeable,
nor was there anything in her manners or
speech to lead one to suspect that she was
not niceness itself.
This occurred to me at the dance, when,
having nothing better to do, glanced oc-
casionally at Tommy Moore according to
promise in order to help him out. For the
truth was that Marion was more than re-
served; by one means or another she kept me
off until 1 came to the conclusion that she
wished to be left TO her own devices;
wherefore time hung heavy on my hands.
But somehow l could never catch Tommy's
eye. There he sat, craning his none too
romantic face in that of the young woman.
Her eyes were fixed on him with d peculiar
4 look, while smile would appear every
now and then at one corner of her mouth.
Finally it was her eye that caught mine
twinkled, and said as plainly as possible;
"Come over and listen"
When I crossed and put my hand on
Tommy's shoulder that youth, instead Of
hopping blithely up and giving me CRATE
full wink, actually had the impudence to
scowl. Evidently 1 had come too soon
was officious-yet to my knowledge Tom
my had not budged from Mrs. Larkin's
side for the good part of an hour. How
ever he may have been reluctant, he was
forced by few well-put words from Mrs
Larkin to make room for me and take
himself off. Instead of hurrying away tc
place himself in the right with all those
charmers of whom he had spoken with
such trepidation after dinner, what does he
do but station himself on the other side of
the room by the door and proceed to
glower-glower like the baffied villain Of a
British melodrama.
ais he great friend of yours, this MIR.
Tommy Moore?" asked Mrs. Larkin.
II know him-I like him for some
things"
because all l can say is that so danger
GUS man ought not to be allowed to run
loose in society" The corner of her mouth
huttered noticeably.
.Just what l told him after dinner,
said l with becoming gravity.
Mrs Larkin gave me keen look.
"Ah! You are his conGdant, | see.
What did he say about me?'
she seemed much impressed"
'You will not tell me- Now, | want to
know something, and what say may sound
queer. Suppose somebody-let US say my
husband, though he is the last person in
the world who is likely to appear in New
port--should see Mr. Moor devoting him
self and fly into q passiOn-for he is
exceedingly hot tempered-and make a
scene. What would Mr. Moore do?"
suppose 1 looked at her with some as
since she blushed little.
'O1 az j. ,aaYIho are dangerous, l should
1t Is you #s,isa ->sSsssaSs..,,,.,.
say" "T"''-- :
"No,' she answered, booking me straight
in the eyes, "but perhaps my position is
uncomfortable. What l want to know is
this: Could anybody speak i'll of me for
being much with Tommy Moore?"
'Some people will speak ill of us, no
matter what we do, said l, Struggling my
shoulders.
II know that only too well, u she answer
ered with trace of bitterness.
Just then Marion came up with favor
and took me out after one of the figures,
for the cotillion had begun, and although
neither | nor Mrs. Larkin were in the
dance we were in plain sight little apart.
| All could do was to murmur some COM
monplaces in thanks for an honor l had
not expected. l was piqued at Marion's
GOODNESS and did not properly value this
little olive branch extended. Besides, who
that is in love fails to commit stupidities
"You seem to be enjoying yourself"
said Marion, calmly, as bowed her to her
seat.
''Mrs. Larkin is charming. Most peo-
pie are whom meet at your house"
Marion said nothing, but turned to her
partner with possibly exaggerated show
of interest, while her shoulder informed me
that l could go.
On returning to my seat by Mrs. Larkin,
of course Tommy Moore was there, having
watched his moment like a hawk and slipped
in as soon as my back was turned; nor
would he notice my derisive stare, nor so
much as bulge; and when l got chair and
took place on the other side he turned quite
purplish hue with wrath. And this was
my reward for doing what he had asked
me to do in order to take SHAT kind of
woman" off his hands! For some reason
Mrs. Larkin presently stated that it was
very hot, and Tommy carried her off in
triumph to the veranda, whence the pretty
grounds of the Casino could be seen in all
the soft splendor of its many lamps. There
did not seem to be anything left for me
that night; looked at my watch and re-
solved to go. Just then 1 noticed that
Marion sat alone, and yielding to sudden
impulse secured favor and approached
her.
"Thank you. will take it, but let us
not dance Let us go where it is cool.
So Marion and joined the couples seat
ed or strolling on the broad, dark veranda
But We had very little to say to each other.
And yet the opportunity to say some
thing definite and all-important could not
have been better, for the exercise had tired
Marion pleasantly, and the darkness and
silence after the glare and noise might well
introduce another order Of thoughts. The